Bitten By Monkeys

Live at The Unicorn Marden, Saturday 20th October 2012

Back in July I had my first look and listen to Bitten By Monkeys after being told of their previous successful sessions at The Unicorn. I wasn’t disappointed and now having seen them a second time I’m confident that every time they turn up in Marden, we can go and enjoy the evening as if it was the first time.

I don’t think the actual set changed that much, opening up with Free’s Wishing Well and going into the break with Springsteen’s Born to Run. Tina Turner’s Steamy Windows seems an odd choice for an all-male band, but it went down well and their rendition of the INXS number, Never Tear Us Apart (wonderfully covered by Paloma Faith recently) brought a change of pace and a sense of humour from the audience as the lighters were raised.

I like the way that the lead singer steps away from the stage (although it’s not exactly a stage!) during the instrumental sessions to allow the instrumentalists and the young drummer their moment in the spotlight, because he really is pretty good!

A rousing end to the evening was brought about with Robert Palmer’s Doctor, Doctor and, let’s face it, if you finish with the Beatles you ain’t going to leave folk disappointed. A Little Help From My Friends was exactly what Bitten By Monkeys got from their audience.